Clonmel's passion play for 'Mr Commercials' Philly

Memories of Philly Ryan, who passed away last month, were on all minds as the team he helped to mould romped to a 21-point victory over Kilsheelan-Kilcash.

HIGH EMOTION: Clonmel Commercials goalkeeper Shane Ryan with his girlfriend Ciara, after the Tipperary County Senior Club Football Championship final. Pic: Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile

Tipperary SFC final: Clonmel Commercials 1-26 (1-3-20) Kilsheelan-Kilcash 1-5 (1-0-5) 

Philly Ryan’s son, Shane, lifted the O’Dwyer Cup alongside Séamus Kennedy as the Tipperary football manager was fondly remembered by his Clonmel Commercials proteges.

An emotional Premier showpiece ended with Commercials collecting a record-breaking 22nd crown in front of 1,623 fans at Semple Stadium.

Memories of Philly, who passed away last month, were on all minds as the team he helped to mould romped to a 21-point victory over Kilsheelan-Kilcash.

A touching moment at full-time saw the Commercials team stream towards Shane, who has inherited his father’s goalkeeping talents, in a gesture of support.

He has played a significant role in their success, conceding just two goals in their past nine championship games.

“Our 22nd county title, we’re top of the roll of honour, but this one means more, because this one is for Philly Ryan,” captain Kennedy told the crowd to an extended round of applause.

“Philly will be with us forevermore because he was unbelievable to each and every single one of us. He’s had a massive, massive influence on all our careers. Philly Ryan is an absolute legend of Clonmel Commercials.” 

Kennedy also referenced a message received from Philly’s wife, Anna, during the week, describing Commercials as a “small-knit family and a tight-knit family”, while expressing hope that days like these would offer some small help to the Ryan family.

Manager Tommy Morrissey also dedicated the triumph to his long-time mentor.

“Philly is, in my eyes, Mr Commercials,” he said. “He gave me the passion to do what I'm doing, he gave me the encouragement to do what I'm doing, and he'll always be in my thoughts.

“It's heartbreaking he's not here with us, but we've certainly done it for him.” 

Commercials’ semi-final against Upperchurch-Drombane was postponed to last weekend, and Morrissey explained how difficult it was to get themselves right for that game.

“Extremely. I won't lie, I found myself walking the dog last Saturday morning, and I was wondering what it was all about.

“I found myself in a very difficult headspace, just trying to contemplate going out to play a game of football and everything it was about.

“But having gotten over that, I knew the group were in the same headspace. They got through that as well, and that was a massive hurdle for us.” 

When sucker-punched by Jamie Roche’s early goal, Commercials responded with six successive points, led by Peter McGarry and Jack Kennedy.

After the break, Commercials hit cruise control. With kick-out dominance secure, they blitzed Kilsheelan by 1-16 to 0-1 in calm conditions at Semple Stadium.

Michael Quinlivan got the goal and added the man-of-the-match award as he earned his eighth county medal on the field of play, a feat matched by Séamus Kennedy.

They face another seven-day turnaround to meet Cork champions St Finbarr’s in Saturday’s Munster quarter-final.

Commercials have played their last three provincial games in Thurles, but Morrissey confirmed they would be bringing it back to Clonmel Sportsfield for the first time since 2017.

“I'll be straight with you. We didn't play in Clonmel the two years prior because the condition of the pitch was brutal.

“There's a huge amount of work that's gone in between ourselves and St Mary's over the last 12 months. That's the reason why we have it in a condition now where we feel it's suitable for an occasion like that.

“We've only the week (to prepare), but that's fine. Three weeks in a row we'll be out, but I'll take that any day.

“I’ve said it from the outset, we're a club that we believe should be on this stage. We're not going into the competition to take it as a token gesture. We want to be in that competition to be competitive.” 

In the meantime, they will celebrate a title which moves them clear of Fethard atop the Tipp roll of honour.

“It's a bonus, but it is huge,” said Morrissey. “We're a football club. There's only ourselves and Ardfinnan in the county that are sole football clubs.

“For us to be top of that pile now, with the work that's been done over the last 15 years with juveniles and developments, it's coming to fruition now and we're there. It's going to take a lot to take us off it.” 

Scorers for Clonmel Commercials: S O’Connor (3f), C Smith (1tpf, 1f) (0-6 each); J Kennedy (0-5, 1tpf, 1 45); M Quinlivan (1-1), P McGarry (0-4, 1tp), T Charles, C Kennedy, Seán Kennedy, R Peters (0-1 each).

Scorers for Kilsheelan-Kilcash: J Roche (1-0); S Garland (0-3, 1f, 1m, 1 45); S Butler, L Freaney (0-1 each).

CLONMEL COMMERCIALS: S Ryan; T Condon, J Morris, R Slattery; K Fahey, Séamus Kennedy (capt), R O’Dowd; D O’Connor, J Kennedy; Cathal Deely, M Quinlivan, R Peters; C Smith, S O’Connor, P McGarry.

Subs: T Charles for Fahey (15, inj), Colman Kennedy for Peters (41), Seán Kennedy for Deely (50), J Higgins for D O’Connor (55), R Lambe for Quinlivan (57).

KILSHEELAN-KILCASH: E Comerford; K Quinn (j-capt), E Kehoe, J Madigan; E Butler, D Brennan, B O’Connor; M Stokes (j-capt), B Murphy; T O’Connor, M Freaney, S Garland; S Butler, J Roche, B Kehoe.

Subs: C Grant for Comerford (18, inj), L Freaney for Murphy (37), M McGuire for Garland (41), R Kelly for S Butler (55), J French-Davis for B Kehoe (55).

Referee: S Lonergan (Moyle Rovers).